HB 2030

AN ACT relating to affirmative defenses to prosecution for certain

House Bill Richardson | Little
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

Modifies existing Texas law regarding affirmative defenses in criminal cases involving potentially obscene or child-harmful material. It removes the term "educational" from certain legal exceptions and adjusts conditions under which defendants can claim affirmative defenses in specific criminal prosecutions, primarily related to age differences and professional context. The changes provide more precise legal standards for determining intent and circumstances in cases involving material or conduct potentially harmful to children.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to affirmative defenses to prosecution for certain
criminal offenses involving material or conduct that may be obscene
or is otherwise harmful to children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 43.24(c), Penal Code, is amended to read
(c)  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this
section that the sale, distribution, or exhibition was by a person
having scientific, [educational,] governmental, or other similar
SECTION 2.  Section 43.25(f), Penal Code, is amended to read
(f)  It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this
(1)  the defendant was the spouse of the child at the
(2)  the conduct was for a bona fide [educational,]
medical, psychological, psychiatric, judicial, law enforcement, or
(3)  the defendant is not more than two years older than
SECTION 3.  Section 43.26(c), Penal Code, is amended to read
(c)  It is an [The] affirmative defense to a prosecution
under this section that the conduct was for a bona fide judicial or
law enforcement purpose [defenses provided by Sections 43.25(f)(2)
and (3) also apply to a prosecution under this section].
SECTION 4.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.  An
offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to affirmative defenses to prosecution for certain